Every employer shall ensure that any personal protective equipment provided to his employees is maintained (including replaced or cleaned as appropriate) in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

The responsibility for carrying out maintenance together with the details of the procedures to be followed and their frequency should be put down in writing. With records of examinations being kept, to confirm that an inspection regime is in place and to ensure the equipment is inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements.

British Standard BS EN 365: 2004 – PPE against Falls from a Height

This British Standard gives general requirements for periodic inspection, instructions for use and marking of PPE against falls from a height.

To counter the causes of degradation listed in the Introduction, the British Standard states that:

Every component or system should have had a visual inspection prior to use to ensure it is in good condition and works properly.

The manufacturer, or its authorised agent, should replace the component or system should any doubt arise about its safety. Similarly, if the equipment has been used to arrest a fall (or emergency escape descent), it should be withdrawn from use immediately and sent for service and re-test.

Even if the equipment has not been involved in a fall arrest (or emergency escape descent), it should be sent for examination to the manufacturers or authorised agent at least every 12 months. The manufacturer or authorised agent will repair and/or re-certify wherever they deem necessary in line with manufacturers recommendation.

Although the examination frequency is described as 12 months a period of 6 months depending on usage is usually recommended by the manufacturer.

The Work at Height Regulations

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 Regulation 12 require that equipment which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations, should be inspected at suitable intervals and each time exceptional circumstances which might jeopardise safety have occurred.

Suitable intervals between inspections are determined on the basis of risk assessment. A competent person should determine the nature, frequency and extent of any inspection by considering factors such as the type of equipment, how and where it is used, its likelihood to deteriorate etc. If equipment is used in onerous outdoor conditions it may be appropriate to inspect it more regularly.

In addition to these documented requirements we also consider HSE information INDG367 Inspecting fall arrest equipment made from webbing or rope which stipulates a frequency of a shorter period.

When considering all these documents we aligned ourselves to the statement at least annually but this frequency is discussed during the Inspection course to indicate a short period may be considered more appropriate depending on usage and the environments in which the equipment is being used.